How To Save A Life

How to Save a Life (7)

Brent Green to the side! >>>

I combed my fingers lightly through Oliver's still damp hair, and he closed his eyes, content. It was dark out, animals chittering in the jungle, but I couldn't bring myself to sleep.

After spending the better part of the day with Oliver in Mermaid's Lagoon, as AJ had now named it, my toes were still wrinkled like little baby prunes. We had spent the entire day talking about our families (well, mostly his), our friends, adventures, things we'd always wanted to do - pretty much everything that could be spoken about was as we stood there in the water. Eventually, we had moved to the smooth rock while AJ napped on the shoreline, where we had ended up pretty much laying there together, not saying anything.

Oddly, it wasn't awkward in the slightest, considering both of us were in our underwear. Oliver had simply pulled me against his chest and closed his eyes, dozing in the sunshine with me practically on top of him.

When the sun had started to go down, we had gotten up, I made Oliver carry my clothes back to the shore, and Oliver had picked up the still sleeping AJ and carried her back to the shelter. By then, the temperature had dropped and I was more than thankful for Oliver reminding me about the cold nights. They were unenjoyable enough in dry clothes, let alone wet ones.

AJ was curled up in the corner, her injured leg extended and her body covered in a sweater I had pulled over her. I had Oliver to use as my blanket, as I had been every night, and knowing him, he'd probably pull her against his side before going to sleep in case she got cold.

"Why aren't you sleeping?" Oliver's voice was soft, lagged with exhaustion. I pulled my fingers through his hair lightly. "Because I'm not tired."

"Liar," he murmured, reaching for my waist without opening his eyes. He pulled me over to his side, then reached for my head so my cheek was nestled into his chest, which was possibly the comfiest position I'd ever been in. It was like my own little pillow, there was almost a dent in his chest from keeping my cheek there all afternoon. I closed my eyes, extending one arm across his stomach and snuggling closer.

It was amazing that simply lying down next to him made me feel a bit more tired. He reached for AJ, pulling lightly so she was against his other side like I'd expected. She stayed in her ball, though, seemingly comfortable and snoring softly as she slept. Oliver's hand abandoned her after he caressed her cheek lightly, instead cradling itself against the back of my head comfortably.

He shifted slightly so one of my legs was overlapping his, then smiled softly, contented. "There," he murmured, his lips brushing my ear. My cheeks went pink, and I rested my head more comfortably against his chest, closing my eyes and trying to slow my racing heart down.

It didn't work very well, especially when he started to sing softly.

And after the storm

I run and run as the rains come

And I look up, I look up

On my knees and out of luck, I look up

I opened my eyes for a moment to see him with his beautiful navy eyes open, watching me with a soft smile as he sang. His hand in my hair pulled on it lightly, then pulled me back to lie down as he pressed his lips to my temple. They hovered there as he continued.

Night has always pushed at day

You must know life to see decay

But I won't rot, I won't rot

On this mind, and on this heart

I won't rot

I felt myself dozing off, simply from the sound of his voice, and felt him smile with his lips still pressed to my skin.